Kashmir's Malshahi Masjid Restoration Risks Erasing Mughal History, Warn Experts

The Hindu · india

Conservationists are raising concerns over the restoration of Kashmir's 17th-century Malshahi Masjid in Ganderbal, fearing it could erase a significant Mughal-era layer. The project, initiated in May with a foundation stone laid by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, aims for conservation and development at an estimated cost of ₹5.01 crore. Experts highlight the mosque's unique materiality and its setting within a terrace garden, noting that the site retains authentic historical elements. They warn that current conservation plans might damage or remove these original features, compromising the site's integrity.